Automatic vehicle wash and wax system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle wash and wax system ( 10 ) comprising a liquid coating dispensing station ( 11 ) and a waterfall dispensing station ( 20 ) to dump a continuous sheet of fluid ( 25 ) onto the liquid coating on the surface of the vehicle ( 30 ). The waterfall dispensing station ( 20 ) has a tank structure ( 21 ) with a weir member ( 32 ) to form the continuous liquid sheet dump ( 25 ). Chemical agents, such as optical brighteners, dyes and a carnauba wax emulsion may be introduced in the waterfall dispensing station ( 20 ) for the continuous liquid sheet dump.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/422,769, filed on Oct. 31, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an automatic vehicle wash and waxsystem. Particularly, the invention relates to a fluid applicationapparatus and process that is incorporated into an automatic vehiclewash and wax system. More particularly, the invention relates to a fluiddispensing apparatus and process that creates a waterfall for use in thewash and wax operations of an automatic vehicle wash and wax system.

Automatic vehicle washing and waxing operations are typically known tohave two general embodiments. In one embodiment, a vehicle is moved by aconveyor structure through successive stations at which various washingand waxing operations take place, such as rinsing, washing, scrubbing,rinsing, waxing and drying. In the second embodiment these sameoperations are automatically performed on a stationary vehicle while thestations are moved with respect to the vehicle. The present inventionmay be adapted to both embodiments of these automatic vehicle washingand waxing operations.

A need exists in the automatic vehicle wash and wax system marketplaceto effectively apply a coating onto a vehicle surface after the washingcycle. Prior art systems often yield spotty wax or coating applications,as well as wax coatings having a relatively limited effective duration.The automatic vehicle waxing system and process of the present inventionprovides a uniform and durable protective coating finish for vehiclesurfaces.

The automatic vehicle waxing system and process of the present inventionmay be incorporated into existing automatic vehicle wash and waxoperations. One approach of the automatic waxing system of the inventionis to provide apparatus and process steps to enhance the effectivenessof the washing and waxing process as well as in the protective coatingapplication on the vehicle surface by utilizing a waterfall dump whichincludes a carnauba wax emulsion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various example embodiments of the present invention relate to anautomatic vehicle wash and wax system and process. The automatic system,subsequent the washing of a vehicle has a spray apparatus which sprays aliquid coating, such as a surface reactive silicone, onto the surface ofthe vehicle. Adjacent and following the coating spray apparatus, a watersheet application assembly is positioned above the vehicle path andwhich is constructed and arranged to apply a continuous sheet of aheated liquid waterfall dump onto the vehicle to thereby evenly mix withand disperse the coating composition over the vehicle surface. In someapplications, the heated waterfall sheet contains a carnauba waxemulsion and may further contain an opaque dye and/or other chemicalagents.

The combination of the heated carnauba wax emulsion and the surfacereactive silicones provides a protective barrier and sacrificial coatingon a vehicle's painted surfaces. The waterfall application immerses thevehicle in a bath which ensures complete coverage of both visiblesurfaces and the hard to reach nooks and crannies of the vehicle wherepaint degradation often begins.

Vehicles are presently provided with clear paint coat finishescomprising polyurethane acrylic polymers which have a positive polarity.The surface reactive silicones, which have a negative polarity, areattracted to the positive polarity of these clear coat polymer surfacesto thereby provide increased adhesion characteristics.

In some example embodiments, the water sheet or waterfall dumpapplication assembly includes a tank structure connected to a heatedwater or fluid supply. A weir structure is attached to the tankstructure for cooperation therewith. The tank structure has a slotted,fluid dispensing pipe which communicates with the fluid supply. The weirstructure is attached at a predetermined angle with respect to the tank.The tank/weir combination forms and directs a specified volume of acontinuous cascading sheet of heated water or other liquid over thevehicle surface. The weir structure is preferably positioned at an angleof 15-20 degrees with respect to the front of the tank structure. Theheated water which is dispensed over the weir structure is preferably ina range of approximately 100-150.degree. F. (38-66.degree. C.). Thevolume of water spread onto a vehicle via the waterfall dump apparatuspreferably ranges from 5-15 gallons (18.9-56.8 liters) per application.

The waterfall dump apparatus of the invention may also be utilized as arinse application. For example, the waterfall sheet may be applied overa detergent or soap formulation previously sprayed or otherwise appliedto the vehicle surface. In some instances, the waterfall dump in thisapplication utilizes cold water.

One or more aspects of the present invention are directed to an improvedcoating application apparatus and process for use in an automaticvehicle wash and wax operation.

Another aspect of the present invention involves applying a heatedliquid waterfall dump onto a vehicle surface to yield an improvedprotective coating application on the vehicle surface.

Yet another of the invention is directed to a waterfall dump apparatusthat may be adapted for use in both the wash and wax operations of anautomatic car wash system.

These and other aspects of this invention will become clear from thefollowing description by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral plan view showing a vehicle wash and wax system,according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral plan view showing another embodiment of the wash andwax system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a waterfall dump station used in a vehiclewash and wax system, according to another example embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tank structure used in the waterfall dumpstation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the tank structure, according to anotherexample embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the supply pipe used in the pan structure ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the pan and weir structures of FIGS. 3 and6, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, various example embodiments of the presentinvention relate to an automatic vehicle wash and wax system andprocess. The automatic system, subsequent the washing of a vehicle has aspray apparatus which sprays a liquid wax or coating onto the surface ofthe vehicle. In some embodiments, the liquid coating sprayed on thevehicle is a heated surface reactive silicone formulation. Adjacent orfollowing the spray coating apparatus, a water sheet applicationassembly is positioned above the vehicle path and which is constructedand arranged to apply a continuous sheet of a heated liquid waterfalldump onto the vehicle to thereby evenly mix with and disperse thecoating composition over the vehicle surface. The waterfall dumpapparatus may also be utilized as a rinse application subsequent a soapor detergent application in the wash cycle.

In some embodiments, the waterfall sheet contains a carnauba waxemulsion and may further contain an opaque dye, and which may becolored, i.e., green or other color. The water or fluid sheet orwaterfall application assembly includes a tank structure connected to aheated water supply. Cold water is preferred when the waterfall is usedsubsequent a wash cycle. A weir structure is attached to the tankstructure having a fluid dispensing pipe therein. The weir structure isattached at a predetermined angle with respect to the tank. Thetank/weir combination forms and directs a specified volume of acontinuous cascading sheet of heated water or other liquid over thecoated vehicle surface. In some applications, the weir structure ispositioned at an angle of 15-20 degrees with respect to the front of thetank structure. In some implementations, the heated water which isdispensed over the weir structure is in a range of approximately100-150.degree. F. (38-66.degree. C.), so that the carnauba wax emulsionis applied in this temperature range. The volume of water spread onto avehicle via the waterfall or fluid fall dump ranges from 5-15 gallons(18.9-56.8 liters) per application for some implementations, and whichmay involve a 20-35 second waterfall application.

Other waterfall dump apparatus may also be utilized within the purviewof this invention. Thus, instead of using a tank/weir combination, otherfluid dispensing structures may be utilized to form a continuous fluidsheet. For example, a slotted dispensing conduit or other knownapparatus may be used to produce a continuous liquid sheet for use inthe wash, wax and rinse operations of the invention.

The waterfall dump apparatus of the invention may also be utilized as arinse application. For example, the waterfall sheet may be applied overa detergent or soap formulation previously sprayed or otherwise appliedto the vehicle surface. Preferably, the waterfall dump in thisapplication would utilize cold water.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, two types of vehicle wash and wax systemsare shown, namely, systems 10 and 50. Each system is shown to haveStations 1, 2, 3 and 4. Station 1 may comprise a vehicle pre-rinse,wheel rinse, a soak, a wash and a rinse application, and which mayinclude the use of brushes and wiping members. Station 2 may comprise awax or coating application assembly, i.e., a wax spray application, or asilicone coating formulation. Station 3 comprises a wax/rinseapplication assembly and Station 4 may comprise a spot free rinse and/orblow dryer application assembly. The focus of the present invention isthe combination of the functions of Stations 2 and 3, and particularlythe apparatus of Station 3. Further, the assembly and process of theinvention may also be used in connection with the wash cycle of Station1. In FIG. 1, Stations 1-4 are shown to be stationary and wherein thevehicle moves with respect to the stations. In FIG. 2, the vehicle isshown to be stationary and Stations 1-4 are shown to move with respectto the vehicle. With respect to both FIGS. 1 and 2, Stations 2 and 3 areshown spatially separated; however, they may also be positioned directlyadjacent to each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle wash and wax system 10 is shown to haveStations 1, 2, 3 and 4 and which are shown sequentially disposed withrespect to vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 is shown to move by means of amoving track 40, i.e., a conveyor, as indicated by the arrow adjacentthe vehicle 30. In Stations 1 and 4, various washing, rinsing and dryingoperations may occur as desired, including the utilization of spray jetspositioned above, below and on the sides of vehicle 30. These stationsmay further utilize brushes and other vehicle contact and wiping devicesas desired. The system of the present invention is the combination ofthe functions yielded by the apparatus Stations 2 and 3.

As particularly shown in FIG. 1, Station 2 comprises a wax or coatingdispensing apparatus 11 having a spray bar or rain bar structure. Aliquid wax or coating delivery pipe 12 with nozzle 13 is shown producinga spray coating 14 which is directed onto the outer surfaces of vehicle30 moving below. Preferably, the spray coating is a surface reactivesilicone formulation. Delivery pipe 12 is in communication with a liquidwax or coating source (not shown) and may have a plurality of nozzles13, i.e., 4-6 spray heads, so that the entire surface of the vehicle iscovered as it passes through Station 2.

Importantly, Station 3 is shown to comprise a waterfall dispensingapparatus 20 having a tank or pan structure 21 having a weir structurewhich causes a continuous sheet of liquid, i.e., a heated waterfall orwater having desired chemical agents and/or a wax or coatingformulation, to be dispensed onto the wax deposited surface of vehicle30 as it travels through Station 3. It is preferred that a carnauba waxemulsion is injected into the heated waterfall. The waterfall sheet orcontinuous fluid dump 25 provides total contact with the spray coatlayer, i.e., a surface reactive silicone that is previously placed onthe surface of vehicle 30 in adjacent Station 2, for example. Inaddition or alternatively, the continuous fluid dump 25 may be pouredover the soap application used in prior art applications. The waterfalldump causes the wax or coating spray or other previous liquidapplication to be dissolved, mixed and/or evenly spread over the vehiclesurface.

Referring to FIG. 2, generally the same process as described above withrespect to FIG. 1, is utilized on stationary vehicle 30 which sits onfloor 70. Stations 1-4 are shown to move with respect to vehicle 30.Alternatively, Stations 1 and 4 may be stationary as described withrespect to FIG. 1, and Stations 2 and 3 being the only moving stations.As particularly shown, the vehicle wash and wax system 50 is comprisedof a coating dispensing apparatus 51 (Station 2) having a liquid wax orcoating delivery pipe 52 and spray nozzles 53 producing a spray coating54 for placement on the surface of vehicle 30. A waterfall dispensingsystem 60 is shown in Station 3 and is shown comprised of a tank or panstructure 61 having a weir structure which produces a continuouswaterfall liquid sheet 65.

Referring to FIG. 3, the waterfall dispensing apparatus 20 isschematically shown comprised of a cold water supply 15 which isconnected to water heater 16, i.e., a 75 gallon, 75,000 BTU waterheater. Hot water is shown flowing through piping 17, i.e., one inchcopper piping to a junction having valves 22 and 23, i.e., one inchvalves. Although shown having two valves 22 and 23, one valve mayinstead be used. A chemical injector 26 is shown connected to pipe 24which may be directly connected to the single valve, and which permitschemical agents such as the carnauba wax emulsions, optical brightenersand dyes to be introduced into the waterfall dump. Supply pipes or hoses27 and 28 are shown connected to the opposite sides of pan or fluid tankstructure 21, which is comprised of holding pan or tank structure 31 anda connected weir structure 32. Return piping 33, i.e., one inch diameterpiping or hosing, is shown connected to water heater 16 to provide aclosed fluid loop and which is shown driven by circulating pump 35,which maintains a desired fluid pressure. Temperature gauges 18 and 34are shown disposed in the piping system to measure fluid temperaturesleaving and entering the water heater 16. The water or fluid dispensedby the waterfall dispensing apparatus 20 is preferably within a range ofapproximately 100-150° F. (38-66° C.), and specifically within apreferred range of approximately 130-140° F. (54-60° C.). An approximatetemperature of 140° F. (60° C.) has been found preferred in the vehiclewaxing system of the present invention, whereby the carnauba waxemulsion is applied as a waterfall dump in the approximate 100-150° F.(38-66° C.) temperature range.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the fluid hold pan or tank structure 31 has agenerally trapezoidal configuration. The pan structure 31 is preferablyconstructed of stainless steel, i.e., 12 gauge, 304 stainless steel. Thepan structure may, however, be formed of a like or other suitablematerial. Mounting plates 36 and 37 are shown extending from the panstructure 31 and may contain mounting holes or a like structure tosecure the pan structure 31 in the waterfall or water sheet applicationapparatus. Studs 44 are shown extending from the front of the panstructure 31 to receive the weir member 32. Specifically, the weirmember 32 has a mounting panel 41 with mounting apertures 43 which alignwith the studs 44 of the pan structure 31. Connecting nuts 49 or othersecurement means may be utilized to secure the weir member 32 to the panstructure 31, and other means may be utilized to form the weirstructure.

The pan structure 31 is shown in FIG. 4 to have a trapezoidalconfiguration when viewed from the top. For example, the length at therear of the pan structure 31 may be approximately 72 inches (182.9 cm)whereas the front may be approximately 76 inches (193 cm). The width ofthe pan structure 31 may be approximately 3.75 inches (9.53 cm) and thedepth may be approximately 4 inches (10.2 cm) at the front andapproximately 6 inches (15.24 cm) at the rear. As shown particularly inFIGS. 4 and 6, a dispensing pipe 45 is mounted within the interior ofthe pan structure 31. The dispensing pipe 45 may be an approximately 3inch (7.62 cm) diameter PVC pipe having a plurality of slots or openings46, 47 and 48 for filling the pan structure 31 to form the waterfallsheet. The dispensing pipe 45 is shown connected to couplings 38 and 39which connect to piping 27 and 28. These dimensions and compositions areexemplary.

Importantly, the weir member 32 has a top panel 42 which is disposed ata predetermined angle, designated by numeral 55 in FIG. 7, and whichaligns with the top front of the pan structure 31. The dispensing pipe45 is positioned within the interior of the pan structure 31 and isconnected to couplings 38 and 39. The bottom side of the dispensing pipe45 is shown to have a series of slots or openings in series or groups,i.e. 46, 47 and 48, which permit fluid to be introduced into the panstructure 31. The slots may have a 0.135 inch (0.343 cm) wide openingand spaced apart 1 inch (end slot groups 46 and 48) and 4 inches (slots47), for example. The coating dispensing apparatus 11 having nozzles 13for spraying the surface reactive silicone may be mounted to the rear ofthe pan structure 31, for example.

Other waterfall dump apparatus may also be utilized within the purviewof this invention. Thus, instead of using a tank/weir membercombination, other fluid dispensing structures may be utilized to form acontinuous fluid sheet. For example, a slotted dispensing conduit orother known apparatus may be used to produce a continuous liquid sheetfor use in the wash, wax and rinse operations of the invention.

As discussed herein, the fluid dispensing apparatus, such as thewaterfall dump, produces a continuous liquid sheet the approximate widthof a vehicle, i.e., 6 feet (1.83 meters), and dumps approximately 5-15gallons (18.93-56.8 liters) of fluid per application, preferablyapproximately 11 gallons (41.6 L) of fluid per application. Thecontinuous fluid sheet is preferably dumped over the entire vehicle,bumper to bumper, and may be activated in one embodiment by a pressureplate, photo eye, trip gate or other activation means. For example, theactivation means may activate the circulation pump of FIG. 3 to causethe fluid in the tank to spill over the weir structure and to therebyproduce the fluid sheet or waterfall dump.

As many changes are possible to the embodiments of this invention,utilizing the teachings thereof, the description above and theaccompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and notthe limited sense.

1. A vehicle washing system comprising: a) a coating applicationapparatus constructed and arranged to apply a coating formulation onto avehicle; and b) a water sheet application apparatus constructed andarranged to apply a continuous sheet of water onto the coatingformulation applied to the vehicle to create a coating solution and toevenly disperse the coating formulation on the vehicle, the water sheetapplication apparatus including a chemical injection device to inject acarnauba wax emulsion into a water supply for said continuous sheet ofwater.
 2. The vehicle washing system of claim 1, wherein said coatingapplication apparatus has a surface reactive silicone spray dispenser.3. The vehicle washing system of claim 1, wherein the water sheetapplication apparatus applies a continuous sheet of unheated water ontothe coating applied to the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle washing system ofclaim 1, wherein a lowermost portion of the water sheet applicationapparatus is arranged above the vehicle onto which the water sheet is tobe applied, and wherein the water sheet application apparatus appliesthe continuous sheet of water by dropping the water from a positionabove the vehicle, allowing the sheet of water to fall freely onto thevehicle.
 5. The vehicle washing system of claim 1, wherein the watersheet application apparatus includes a dispensing conduit arranged abovethe vehicle to drop water directly onto the vehicle to apply thecontinuous sheet of water onto the coating applied to the vehicle. 6.The vehicle washing system of claim 1, wherein the water sheetapplication apparatus applies the sheet of water onto the coatingformulation to create a coating solution by mixing the sheet of waterwith the coating formulation.
 7. The vehicle washing system of claim 1,wherein the water sheet application apparatus applies the sheet of wateronto the coating formulation to create a coating solution by causing thecoating solution to dissolve.
 8. The vehicle washing system of claim 1,wherein the water sheet application apparatus includes: a liquid tank; awater supply to supply water to the tank; a wax supply to supply wax tothe liquid tank; and wherein the water sheet application apparatus isadapted to apply a sheet of liquid solution including water and wax ontoa vehicle beneath the liquid sheet application arrangement.
 9. Thevehicle washing system of claim 8, wherein the water sheet applicationapparatus applies the sheet of liquid solution to create a coatingsolution with a coating material on the vehicle, and to disperse thecoating material on the vehicle.
 10. The vehicle washing system of claim8, wherein the coating application apparatus is adapted to apply acoating material to the vehicle, prior to application of the sheet ofliquid solution, wherein the water sheet application apparatus appliesthe sheet of liquid solution to create a coating solution with a coatingmaterial on the vehicle, and to disperse the coating material on thevehicle.
 11. The vehicle washing system of claim 8, wherein the watersheet application apparatus is adapted to apply a sheet of liquidsolution including water and wax onto a vehicle beneath the water sheetapplication arrangement by releasing the sheet of liquid solution from aposition above the entire vehicle, allowing the sheet of liquid solutionto drop freely from the liquid sheet application arrangement to thevehicle via gravity.
 12. A vehicle washing system comprising: a) acoating application apparatus constructed and arranged to apply acoating formulation onto a vehicle; and b) a water sheet applicationapparatus constructed and arranged to apply a sheet of water onto thecoating formulation applied to the vehicle to create a coating solutionand to evenly disperse the coating formulation on the vehicle, the watersheet application apparatus including a tank structure, a water supplyand a weir attached to said tank structure.
 13. The vehicle washingsystem of claim 12, wherein said water sheet application apparatusfurther includes a water heater for providing to said tank structurewater heated to a range of approximately 100-150° F. (38-66° C.). 14.The vehicle washing system of claim 12, wherein said weir is disposed atangle range between 15 and 20° with respect to a horizontal plane andwherein said water sheet application apparatus dispenses between 5 to 15gallons (18.9-56.8 liters) of water per application.
 15. The vehiclewashing system of claim 12, wherein said tank has opposing sides andwherein a water inlet is disposed in each said side.
 16. The vehiclewashing system of claim 15, wherein a pipe extends between said opposingsides within said tank and wherein said pipe has a plurality of slotsspaced in the bottom thereof.
 17. The vehicle washing system of claim16, wherein said tank has a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration.18. A vehicle washing system comprising: a )a coating applicationapparatus constructed and arranged to apply a coating formulation onto avehicle; and b) a water sheet application apparatus constructed andarranged to apply a continuous sheet of water onto the coatingformulation applied to the vehicle to create a coating solution and toevenly disperse the coating formulation on the vehicle, the water sheetapplication apparatus including a chemical injection device to inject asurfactant, a dye and an optical brightening agent into a water supplyfor said continuous sheet of water.